Immigrant Rights Legislation

To amend sections 2743.02, 2744.02, 4123.01, and 4123.511 and to enact sections 2307.82 and 4123.513 of the Revised Code to prohibit illegal and unauthorized aliens from receiving compensation and certain benefits under Ohio's Workers' Compensation Law.

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Summary:

HB 380 includes a provision that would prohibit undocumented workers from receiving workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, it stipulates that undocumented workers who suffer any injury as a result of the job cannot file a lawsuit against an employer unless the worker has “clear and convincing” evidence that they were unlawfully hired.

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Our take on this bill:

The ACLU of Ohio opposes HB 380 because it would cause great harm to an already vulnerable population. A person who is seriously injured, diseased, or dying because of their hard work should not have additional hurdles put in their way if they wish to hold a neglectful or exploitative business or corporation accountable for their actions.

This bill gives license to corrupt businesses to hire undocumented workers and assign them to work the most harmful jobs or in the most dangerous environments, since many of the working people this bill targets do not have the resources to file lawsuits or conduct a search for “clear and convincing” evidence against their employers.